Friday, August 20, 2010

Luzanda and I go back a few years now! I fell in love with her digital art creations! She made fabulous web pages for my eBay store and then she started making great images for my dominos and altered art charm bracelets. She was always so accommodating to make me web pages in a snap or image sheets for special orders. I never have found such fantastic service to date. It's always a pleasure working with Luzanda and I love checking in on her work. She is so talented and has such a great eye for color and design. So it's my sincere pleasure to introduce you to this amazing lady!

How did you get started creating your product?

My name is Luzanda, I am from South Africa but been living in Switzerland almost half my life.. . I am Mommy to one very sweet 7 year old Girl.

It actually all started when my daughter was born.. I was looking for a birth announcement card and just could not find anything “special” so I decided to make my own… I started creating cards for every occasion and then got the idea to start selling them… I started making Candy Wrappers, but this was not enough for me.. so I went searching the Internet to see what else I could create and then found loads of designers making eBay listing templates… so I made a start with that too, and from there came to Etsy and started with the Collage Sheets and Shop Banners. Thanks to you Kelly ;)

I also love making Jewelry. My mother got me started on that..

My Canvas art is all in 3D, I love to create things that are different.. I mostly use things that can be found around the house and recycle them J

What inspires you to create?

I am mostly inspired by other artists creations.. I spend hours searching for new themes and ideas for my designs….I try to create things that are unique and OOAK.

What does your artwork say about you?

I guess it depends which artwork one is looking at... If looking at my graphic designs you will notice i have a love for all things Vintage.

My Jewelry is mostly in pink.. so I guess people will notice that I have a thing for PINK ;) and my Canvas Art is .. well hard to explain really.. „different“ I guess

What do you enjoy doing when you're not creating for your shop?

I’m totally addicted to Facebook, so when I’m not creating and I have time, that’s where I’ll be LOL

Share your favorite quote

„Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep.” – Scott Adams

How do you celebrate your success?

I don’t really celebrate my success, with every sale I just get inspired to create more.

How do you market your products?

I have 3 Online Shops which are mainly for the graphic designs. I also advertise on Facebook ;)

Some Jewelry is displayed at our local Hairdressers etc.

My best advertisement though... is me... I have a big mouth and tell everybody to come and have a look at my creations... ;)

What 3 Etsy shops do you admire and why?

I am a fan of so many Etsy Shops... the one I admire most would be your shop Kelly. Not only did you show me the way to Etsy and Artfire but you also gave me so many ideas on what I could create. Thank you!

I first learned bead stringing in the spring of 2006 as a project for my church. A bunch of us ladies made “blessings bracelets” from kits to sell at our spring fair. After that I was a goner. But it wasn’t until much later that I discovered Etsy and decided I wanted to make a shop and create jewelry designs with a sea theme. My existing landscape/seascape photography naturally fit in with the idea.

2. What inspires you to create?

Aside from the beauty in nature, other artists inspire me. When I see other photographers or jewelry designers’ success, I try to understand what it is about their pieces that people are attracted to, and what the artist’s thought process might have been in creating an item. For a lot of my jewelry designs, my inspiration hits me out of the blue, mostly when I see specific beads or jewelry-making components. Just the colors or shape of one item will get me thinking for hours What can I do with this and how?

3. What does your artwork say about you?

I think my artwork shows that I am careful with details, that I put a lot of thought into what I create and that I am trying to honor not only my own self, but something outside myself. Hopefully my jewelry also conveys how much I like sparkly stuff!

4. What do you enjoy doing when you’re not creating for your shop?

I read and watch movies a lot, and in good weather I enjoy the beach and favorite shoreline spots. I also spend time with my needy pets. My cat, Pearl, often orders me to come out and play or to put myself down for a nap with her. She’s the boss of me. I’ve just appointed her AquariCreations’ personnel manager. While she doesn’t interfere with my jewelry supplies or designs, she’s really good at being my boss.

5. Share your favorite quote.

“Hold on to your faith, and do not quit a minute before your miracle occurs.” – Jere Skye

6. How do you celebrate your success?

With chocolate, of course!

7. How do you market your products?

I have been marketing my products in an ever-evolving way, slowly establishing my footing as I learn what works and what doesn’t. I think any new Etsy seller soon realizes that relying on Etsy-based techniques alone is limiting. It’s very easy to network on Etsy and get viewers to your shop, but to get people to buy after looking is a challenge. Inevitably I found that I had to find ways to draw people to my shop from the outside. Aside from local advertising, I’ve had my jewelry in two galleries near my home, and I keep expanding my online social networking activities to generate more exposure, credibility and loyalty outside Etsy.

8. What 3 Etsy shops do you admire and why?

There are two that come to mind instantly because they influenced me right when I was new to Etsy. Deborah in southwestern Australia runs Unique Dichroic. She makes dichroic glass pendants and she’s so talented. In a perfect scenario, I’d have a backyard studio in the bush like hers and an equal amount of success. I like to read her blog because she’s so enthusiastic when she pulls something suprisingly beautiful out of her kiln.

The second shop I admired early on is Crazy Lady Glass (formerly Crazy Lady Beads) because Kerry showed me early on the personalized kind of customer service you can get when you’re an Etsy buyer. Her cupcake, ice cream, cake slice and fruit beads are terrific quality and fun!

More recently I came to admire the Help the Gulf Coast Etsy shop because it is an example of how Etsy can be used to bring together sellers and buyers in a professional, goal-oriented way. I noticed right away how the admins ran the shop with integrity and transparency, and the success that they have experienced is a reflection of that.

9. If you win a $1,000 shopping spree, what would you buy?

Wow, lots more of everything I’m already using! I’d also get new freshwater pearls, Venetian and Czech glass beads, unique artisan lampwork glass and porcelain beads (some from other Etsy sellers) and higher grade gemstone beads. I’d also like to get some unique mother-of-pearl and abalone shell beads that I’ve been eyeing. Then there’s Hill Tribe silver and new Swarovski crystal shapes. The list goes on…and on…as always. You wouldn’t believe how much cool stuff is out there waiting to become a sea-themed design.

My handmade turtle soap made it into another fabulous Etsy Treasury - Beachiness.

Many thanks to Breda at Lacy Gems. One of her favorite pieces of mine is her Aqua Blue Necklace:

This is a very glamorous Necklace for a special occasion. Breda made a Spiral Rope with Gold Miyuki Seedbeads and larger Slate Blue lined Topaz Triangle Beads. The Centre is made up of Aqua Blue Foil Glass beads. Finished with a Gold Filled Toggle Clasp

Friday, May 21, 2010

Well, I have been trying many formulas trying to come up with the best repair body butter I can for aging skin. I hope found the fountain of youth with this recipe! It’s great on elbows and hands after gardening. I also love using on my heels at night. I just put a pair of socks on and wake up feeling like I have been pampered.

Give it a try and tell me what you think. My formula and directions are not as detailed for the novice but anyone who has made an emulsion before should have no trouble with this recipe.